Man skulks in dam after driving van into water to escape police

The man refused to emerge from the water. Photo: Sunrise The man in the dam after driving a stolen vehicle into the water. Photo: Sunrise

Police kept their guns trained on the man as he remained in the dam. Photo: Sunrise

A 45-year old man drove his van into a dam at Penrith early on Tuesday morning, and then skulked in the weedy water and refused to emerge even when police drew their weapons.

Police from Penrith Local Area Command were racing to the scene of another crime – an alleged robbery of a bobcat – with lights and sirens blaring when they saw a white Toyota van strike some debris, travel through a fence and eventually stop in a dam.

As the officers stopped their vehicle to check on the driver of the van, he got out and swam to the middle of the dam.

Officers attempted to negotiate with the man – who can be seen submerged in water on video obtained by Sunrise – but he refused.

He allegedly threatened police when they drew their firearms, police said.

As police organised for a boat to be delivered to the area, the man left the water and was arrested, wrapped in a towel and bundled into the back of a police van.

The man was allegedly driving a stolen van. He was taken to Penrith Police Station where inquiries into the van and the incident continue.

Another man was arrested nearby. He is not believed to be linked to the van but is being spoken to in relation to other alleged offences.

AT 2pm on Tuesday, police charged a man with allegedly stealing a bobcat at Glenmore Park earlier this morning..

Meanwhile, officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a nearby incident at Orchard Hills, where a man crashed a stolen vehicle into a dam.

The man was arrested and remains in custody at Penrith Police Station but no charges have yet been laid.